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Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme: SHW
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council motion debate on the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme today (Wednesday);
Madam Deputy President,
The overall objective of social security in Hong Kong is to provide for the basic and special needs of people in our community who are in need of financial or material assistance. This is enshrined in the White Paper on Social Welfare into the 1990s and Beyond, which received widespread public support.
Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme
The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme is a key component of our social security system for those individuals or families suffering from financial hardship for various reasons, such as old age, disability, illness, unemployment and low earnings. It aims to bring the income of those in need up to a level where basic and special needs can be met. The Scheme is means-tested, non- contributory and is related to an individual's or a family's means and needs.
The cash assistance provided under the CSSA Scheme, however, should not be seen in isolation. It is but an integral part of the "safety net" we have put in place for those who are financially vulnerable. This "safety net" covers a comprehensive range of social services for CSSA clients including cash assistance, free medical care, compassionate rehousing and other free programmes organised by the government and non-governmental organisations.
CSSA Payment
There is a common misconception that the standard rate is all that a CSSA client can get. The fact is that CSSA payment comprises not only the standard rate to meet basic needs such as food and clothing, but also special grants to meet special needs as well as long term supplement and disregarded earnings according to their individual circumstances.